Hero's return just not enough

Andy Lloyd is a former England Test cricketer who has also served as captain and chairman of Warwickshire.

Andy Lloyd

WOULDN&rsquo;T it be fantastic if Andrew Flintoff, in his last ever Test, summoned a match-winning performance and reclaimed the Ashes for England? It&rsquo;s the stuff dreams are made of. Freddie would bow out in the best possible manner; one of the heroes of the 2005 series inspiring another triumph on home soil.<br /><br />The problem is, while my heart says yes, my mind tells me realism has to kick in. With a draw being enough for them to retain the urn, Australia have the edge, and they won&rsquo;t concede it easily.<br /><br />Sure, the Aussies will try to win. But they don&rsquo;t need to, and I just cannot see them losing.<br /><br /><strong>FIERCE DETERMINATION</strong><br />England have made changes, and rightly so. The dropped Ravi Bopara needs a break. I was never sure he was a No3, he&rsquo;s been found out a little against better opposition, but I have no doubt he will be back, perhaps at No5 when Paul Collingwood moves on.<br /><br />Jonathan Trott is the man who will come in, with Ian Bell promoted to Bopara&rsquo;s old slot. While I wouldn&rsquo;t say Trott&rsquo;s got the technical quality of Bell, he has terrific character, fierce determination, and he won&rsquo;t be overawed by making his debut in a match of such magnitude.<br /><br />Flintoff&rsquo;s return will be a huge boost for England, and will deflate Australia more than just a touch. Of course, he will do anything required to win this match &ndash; I&rsquo;m just not sure it&rsquo;ll be enough.